$1.5 Million Invested in Local Nonprofits from COVID-19 Fund

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May 13th, 2020

The fourth round of grants from United Way of Central Ohio’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund, totaling $320,540 to 29 organizations, are being distributed immediately. This round of investments brings the total deployed to nonprofits in just eight weeks to over $1.55 million.

Communities of color continue to be disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and this round further expands the number of grants to nonprofits serving these communities. Grants are primarily focused on helping nonprofits provide food, rental assistance, emergency supplies, household items, child care and transportation to struggling families. Nonprofits are also using funds to purchase cleaning supplies, masks and other personal protective equipment so staff and volunteers can continue to serve clients safely.

Supporting education remains a priority as nonprofit partners look ahead to summer and pursue creative ways to keep students engaged and learning through the summer months. For example, The Hardy Center in Linden will use its grant to provide online assistance to students who are struggling academically. The King Arts Complex will purchase tablet computers to allow 70 youth to attend a virtual summer youth camp.

According to Demetries J. Neely, Executive Director of The King Arts Complex, the ever-popular (with a waiting list) 32-year-old STEAM summer enrichment camp will pivot to a virtual camp due to COVID-19. The curriculum for the camp includes a focus on academic achievement with classes in film-making, dance, music, visual arts, critical thinking, creative writing, yoga, reading/literacy, vocals, meditation, trauma-informed sessions and gardening. Attendance will be tracked.

“Thanks to United Way, we are able to equip our campers who do not have access to the technology with tablets and internet services. The tablets will be theirs to keep for use in school next year,” says Neely.

The Community Response Fund has raised more than $2 million thanks to generous gifts from corporate sponsors, leadership donors and community members. All gifts to the fund will be invested in local nonprofits in future rounds. Donations can be made at www.liveunitedcentralohio.org/responsefund.

The complete list of recipients from each round of grants can be viewed here: